TIMING THE RETURN: The UAE’s opening up strategy is paying off… and the return to normalcy will only speed up with the resumption of visa issuance on Thursday (September 24). Sure, this doesn’t apply as yet to work permits, but for the UAE’s airlines and allied travel industry, these are welcome breaks. Where countries could go wrong is delaying the opening up, and that comes with dire consequences for key business sectors. And that’s something no economy can afford, even as governments mount defenses against further spreads of the COVID-19. If airlines can close out this year with a return to 60-70 per cent of passenger capacities before the pandemic, they can yet salvage something from this year. This is where a phased reopening helps. [COMMENT BY; Manoj Nair, Business Editor]
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